13.1 CHALLENGE RUN/WALK: PRESENTED BY WESTERN DAIRY ASSOCIATION

13.1 CHALLENGE RUN/WALK: PRESENTED BY WESTERN DAIRY ASSOCIATION

This half-marathon plan, sponsored by our friends at Western Dairy Association, is ideal for a range of athletes: walkers looking to morph into runners; running neophytes testing their wings at a half-marathon for the first time; mothers who get injured more than six-year-olds whine; and anybody who prefers to mix running and walking when they’re on the road. The weekday runs are based on minutes, not miles, while the weekend long run is calculated in miles.

Although walk is in the title, don’t be fooled: You’ll definitely be challenging yourself on a weekly basis and building a fierce cardiovascular base. By race day, your run segments around 14 minutes, while your walking segments will hover in the 2-minute range. (Read: long enough to walk through the aid station, toss your cup, gather yourself, and start running again.)

THE PREREQS: No running or race experience is required, but good general fitness is definitely necessary. (And if you’ve run a 10K or a half-marathon before, all the better.) The run/walk segments start with 2 minutes of running, four minutes of walking, so you should be able to run easy for several minutes. Of course, a relatively healthy, injury-free body is definitely helpful.
BIGGEST WEEK OF TRAINING: 12 miles + 135 minutes of running over three days. (Weekday runs are in minutes; weekend runs are in miles.)

LONGEST LONG RUN/WALK DISTANCES: one 10-miler, one 11-miler, one 12-miler.

Product Description

The Train Like a Mother 13.1 Challenge: Run/Walk includes:

A mother-runner-friendly 13.1 Run/Walk training plan: This15-week 13.1 Run/Walk plan is (much) more flexible than our hamstrings: Almost every week, there’s a workout you can bail on and one that’s integral for your success. Plus, the workouts range crosstraining sessions to circuit runs, keeping things interesting for both your body and mind.

Miles of resources. The new Train Like a Mother Club provides plenty of accessible resources that will benefit your running and lifestyle. Your registration gets you access to the private site, where you’ll find helpful articles; video demonstrations of strength training moves and running drills that are totally doable (read: less than five minutes! truly!) and will keep you running strong and injury-free; great recipes for fueling; and a members-only forum where you can ask any question or lend a helping hand to a fellow #motherrunner.

You’ll also receive exclusive Train Like a Mother podcasts + webinars, where we’ll answer all your individual training questions—and entertain you on your runs. As always, no question is too basic or TMI.

Accountability—and camaraderie—galore. In addition to Train Like a Mother Club, you’ll also be invited to join a private 13.1 Challenge club on Strava, where you can track your miles, and a private 13.1 Challenge Facebook page, where you’ll quickly find an army of (funny, empathetic, inspiring) #motherruner teammates. You’ll share training tips, stories of good runs and bad, cheer each other on, and push each other out the door. Momentum comes from teamwork, and these Challenges roll on some serious #motherrunner momentum.

You’ll also receive a weekly Challenge newsletter in which we have an advice column from Coach Amanda, gear giveaways galore, and discounts on training essentials.

A Training Peaks Account. This comprehensive training tool will help you chart the nearly daily growth of your endurance base. It also sends you a daily email with your workouts for today and tomorrow so you can plan accordingly.

Best.Swag.Bag.Ever. As part of your registration, you will receive a package stocked training essentials, including a tube of Nuun, packets of GU, a pair of Balega socks, goodies from our friends at Western Dairy Association, and samples of SweatX sports detergent. (Shipping of $6.50 on U.S. orders and $15 for international orders will be added to your registration at checkout to cover the cost of getting these goodies to your mailbox.)

Sweet Discounts—and Giveaways—on Races and Gear. Throughout the Challenge, we’ll offer deep discounts on some of our favorite running things, as well as straight-up giveaways.

FAQs

How do I know if this is the right training plan for me?

The Train Like a Mother 13.1 Run/Walk Challenge plan is ideal for a range of athletes: walkers looking to morph into runners; running neophytes testing their wings at a half-marathon for the first time; mothers who get injured more than six-year-olds whine; and anybody who prefers to mix running and walking when they’re on the road. The weekday runs are based on minutes, not miles, while the weekend long run is calculated in miles.

Some plan details:BIGGEST WEEK OF TRAINING: 12 miles + 135 minutes of running over three days. (Weekday runs are in minutes; weekend runs are in miles.)

LONGEST LONG RUN/WALK DISTANCES: one 10-miler, one 11-miler, one 12-miler.

If that feels like too much for your running experience or your schedule, consider joining the 10K Run program.

Does the registration fee include a race?

No. The fee is for the comprehensive training plan, unlimited support, miles of resources, exclusive podcasts, and swag package, which will help you achieve a strong half-marathon. At the end of the cycle, you will participate in the organized half-marathon of your choice; you can also choose to run a half-marathon on your own, if that works better for you.

Wait: So I have to pay for this Challenge and a half-marathon entry fee?Yep—and we’ve heard again and again it’s worth it. Staying committed and motivated during the days, weeks, and, yes, months of training can be ridiculously hard. If you can do that—and these programs are all about accountability and inspiration—race day becomes a celebratory victory lap, not a slog full of self-doubt.

Can you please explain the shipping charges?Within a few weeks of registration, every participant in a Train Like a Mother program receives a stocked swag package with some of our favorite training essentials. Domestic #motherrunners are charged $6.50 for shipping; international #motherrunners are charged $15 for shipping.

What if my target race isn’t in one of the waves you have listed above?We can definitely see what we can do to make it work. Email us at [email protected]to connect.

What if sign up and realize this isn’t the right training plan for me?
We definitely want this to work into your life and your running lifestyle. You can email us at [email protected] within 2 weeks of starting the program and we will set you up with another plan or a credit for an upcoming challenge. We will not be able to issue a straight-up refund.

What if I get injured or really sick?With a smart training plan, doable strength training, and advice on foam rolling and other self-care, we’re going to do our best to keep you injury-free. That said, if you have an injury or illness that totally slays your training, let us know at [email protected]. We’ll work with you to get you a credit for an upcoming program.